Italian fashion billionaire Renzo Rosso loves the energy of the Gulf region, where his trendy fashion and luxury brands are a big success.

The President of Only The Brave (OTB), who is worth an estimated $3.4 billion, also told Arabian Knight that the Middle East continues to remain a huge market for the group’s brands. 

"I love Dubai and the Gulf, the people, their attitude to fashion and new things,” he said. “It is nice to see how a new tower springs up every day. A new building brings fresh energy. It is great to see how the city and region have repositioned themselves as great destinations of the world in such a short time.”

Rosso built his empire around Diesel, one of the most iconic names in the world of denim, before going on to acquire upscale arty brands such as the French fashion brand Margiela, the Milanese maison Marni, and the Dutch brand Viktor & Rolf. Today, OTB’s portfolio includes Staff International and Brave Kid. 

Rosso, who spoke to Arabian Knight at a reception held by Marni on the sidelines of La Vendemmia festival in Milan, said the Middle East is a huge market for OTB. Diesel, he pointed out, has 32 outlets across the region in addition to its Margiela and Marni stores.

Making a bold statement in a jacket that had its basting stitches intact outside, Rosso mingled freely with guests as the bubbly flowed.

Rosso said the luxury industry was in great shape. “It's magic. Every season we have to prove that we are alive and every six months we are doing new productions, so we never sleep. I love this industry,” he said. 

Rosso, who owns 90 per cent of OTB, said his group has not been affected by the current economic downturn. “We are a rare company and all brands are doing fine. Marni is doing very well and Diesel is flying.”

He continued: “I love being a part of the fashion industry because of all these beautiful creative people, who open my mind and give me a new vision. I think I am very lucky because I work with so many designers. It gives me the opportunity every day to share the same vision, but with a different perspective."

Greeting clients as he moved around in the huge store, Rosso was all praise for the La Vendemmia, organised by the Associazione MonteNapoleone. “I think it is a good idea to have these kinds of events. It gives us an opportunity to meet friends, industry experts as well as our customers, thanks to whom we are alive."

Rosso said that Marni is a key player within OTB and a brand that “fully reflects our vision of alternative luxury”.

Marni’s core business focuses on women’s clothes, bags and shoes. It also offers also menswear and accessories, in addition jewellery, eyewear, children’s wear and fragrances.

La Vendemmia is a luxury shopping festival held annually that pairs the world of haute couture with fine wine, fine food and fancy cars.  The festival centered around an area locally known as il quadrilatero della moda (the quadrilateral of luxury), which encompasses Milan’s premier luxury shopping street Via MonteNapoleone and its branches Via Verri, Via Sant’Andrea, Via Santo Spirito, Via Borgospesso and, this year, also via Bagutta. 

La Vendemmia kicked off the city’s Fall-Winter shopping season and was organised by the Associazione MonteNapoleone, which represents 140 luxury brands. German luxury carmaker Audi was the main sponsor of the festival, which ran from October 3 to 9.